At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive operational transformation on the shop floor, improving processes and coaching teams.
- Company: Established manufacturer of bespoke vehicles, ready for change and improvement.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, high autonomy, direct access to leadership, and clear progression opportunities.
- Other info: Join a stable company with strong demand and a commitment to sustainable practices.
- Why this job: Lead impactful change in a hands-on role with real influence on operations.
- Qualifications: Experience in continuous improvement, health & safety, and purchasing in manufacturing.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
A long-established specialist manufacturer of high-value, bespoke vehicles is entering a period of operational transformation and we’re hiring a hands-on Continuous Improvement, Health & Safety & Purchasing Lead to drive that change from the shop floor up. This is a rare opportunity to take full ownership of CI, H&S and purchasing in a business that is ready for improvement, open to challenge and committed to building sustainable operational discipline.
The Opportunity
This is not a consultancy or desk-based role. You will be on the shop floor daily — observing, mapping, improving and coaching. You’ll report directly to the CEO and operate with autonomy, shaping how the business works and leaving behind capability that lasts.
What You will Do
- Map current-state value streams and quantify waste across all build types
- Lead 5S implementation and run structured Kaizen events
- Improve production flow, takt time, sequencing, layout and scheduling
- Establish standard work and visual management across the workshop
- Coach teams in CI tools through live improvement activity
- Act as the competent person for Health & Safety, owning risk assessments, work-at-height compliance, COSHH and incident investigations
- Conduct H&S audits, maintain statutory documentation and lead toolbox talks
- Overhaul purchasing practices: supplier performance, stock control, lead times and alignment with build schedules
- Track KPIs across CI, H&S and purchasing, reporting directly to senior leadership
What You will Bring
- Proven hands-on CI experience in manufacturing, ideally low-volume or bespoke production
- Strong working knowledge of lean tools: VSM, 5S, Kaizen, standard work, visual management and root cause analysis
- Practical H&S experience including risk assessments, PUWER, COSHH and Work at Height
- Purchasing experience: supplier negotiation, inventory control and aligning procurement with production flow
- A shop-floor mindset — credible with skilled craftspeople and comfortable in overalls
- Structured, data-driven thinking with the ability to baseline and measure improvement
- Strong coaching ability and a commitment to building capability, not dependency
Desirable: Six Sigma/Lean qualification, experience in Danaher/TPS-style environments, CIPS or equivalent procurement experience.
£45,000 – £55,000 salary depending on experience
Direct influence over CI, H&S and purchasing strategy
High autonomy with direct access to senior leadership
Opportunity to lead a two-year transformation programme with measurable impact
Stable, long-established manufacturer with strong demand for its products
Clear progression as operational maturity increases
What Success Looks Like
Within two years, you’ll have delivered:
- Faster, more consistent build processes with reduced rework
- Full H&S compliance, including robust work-at-height and COSHH controls
- A purchasing function that supports production rather than constraining it
- A self-sustaining 5S standard maintained by the teams
- A trained group of CI practitioners able to run improvements independently
- A culture where problems are surfaced and solved, not worked around
Continuous Improvement, Health and Safety Lead in Lowestoft employer: Achieve Recruitment
Join a long-established specialist manufacturer of bespoke vehicles, where you will play a pivotal role in driving operational transformation as the Continuous Improvement, Health and Safety Lead. With a hands-on approach, you'll enjoy high autonomy and direct access to senior leadership, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and safety on the shop floor. This is an exceptional opportunity to shape the future of the business while benefiting from clear progression paths and a commitment to employee development in a stable and supportive environment.
